Scion FR-S

The Car Connection Scion FR-S Overview

The Scion FR-S is a 2+2 coupe built on a rear-drive platform that makes for an entertaining, affordable choice for driving enthusiasts.

The FR-S was jointly developed with and is built by Subaru, which calls its version the BRZ. The two cars are very similar and share a 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder cranking out 200 horsepower. That's just enough to make the FR-S a fun little sports car that can compete with the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Mazda Miata and perhaps even the Ford Mustang.

It's powered by a 2.0-liter flat four-cylinder engine rated at 200 horsepower. While that's not a whole lot in the sports coupe realm, the FR-S tips the scales around 2,700-2,800 pounds depending on trim, and the combination makes for an entertaining, if not quite thrilling, driving experience. The rear-wheel-drive layout alone gives the FR-S more sporting credibility than anything that's yet been offered in Scion's ranks. A six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment, while a six-speed automatic is available. The tires are actually low-rolling-resistance pieces, allowing the driver to more easily overpower the grip with the engine's modest torque output and also re-vector the car through some momentary loss of traction.

Fuel economy ratings for the FR-S are quite respectable, though not as high as you might expect for a small four-cylinder paired with a manual transmission: the EPA estimates 22/30 mpg, city/highway. With the automatic transmission, things get noticeably better, rising to 25/34 mpg, city/highway. To balance power and efficiency, the Subaru-based engine uses Toyota's combination port- and direct-injection fuel delivery. The two companies co-developed this powertrain along with most of the rest of the vehicle.

Inside, the FR-S is sporty, with a youthful, modern design and a minimalist ethos that puts the emphasis on the driving itself, rather than coddling occupants with rich materials and intricate features. It suits the sports car nature of the FR-S well, and considering the affordable price point (around $25,000 for most models), it's well within expectations. The driver gets a large and readable tachometer front and center, with other gauges off to the side and a digital speedometer inset in the middle. There are few other distractions in the interior, which is as it should be.

The Scion FR-S has earned excellent safety ratings, including top "Good" results in all categories from the IIHS and the IIHS's Top Safety Pick status. It also nearly aces testing by the NHTSA, with a five-star overall rating and a full five stars in all but the frontal crash category, where it earns four stars.

As it does with the rest of its models, Scion focuses on customization with the FR-S, and there are plenty of aftermarket companies making parts for it and its Subaru cousin. Some of the Scion-direct pieces even come with a warranty and include items like spoilers, wheels, shift knobs, and trim pieces. Tuners took a shine to the FR-S immediately, offering performance and appearance upgrades of their own.

For 2015, Scion offers a release series FR-S, something it does with its models to help spur sales once they get on in years. The FR-S Release Series 1.0 features super-bright yellow paint (the color is called Yuzu), HID headlamps with LED running lights, a TRD body kit, a TRD exhaust, special seat fabric, TRD lowering springs, a TRD short-shift kit, and a lot more, making it the most highly optioned FR-S to date and easily the most expensive, as the base price crests $30,000. All 2015 models also get some suspension changes that bring the Scion closer to the Subaru BRZ's spec.

For the 2016 model year, the FR-S gets some interior dress-up in the form of silver accents around the cabin. It also gets a rearview camera and a new touch-screen audio head unit as standard equipment, and there are a few other small tweaks for the car. The mechanicals are again left unchanged.

Rumors of higher-performance versions, a hybrid, or at the least, a factory-backed set of upgrades, persist for the FR-S. A convertible version of the car is also possible; a concept droptop version of the car was shown at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Given the coupe's limited sales to date, however, chances for other variants and offshoots are looking less and less likely. Subaru and Toyota have both said they are working together on a second generation of the architecture.

A fantastic car to wake up to every day.

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Reliable like a Toyota and dependable like a Subaru. This car never let me down but I must admit behaving is the key to not replacing tires too often. The interior is extravagant compared to most passenger car...
Reliable like a Toyota and dependable like a Subaru. This car never let me down but I must admit behaving is the key to not replacing tires too often. The interior is extravagant compared to most passenger car crap out there. There is nothing cheap or cheesy about this interior, whatsoever. It has the feel of a much more expensive car inside and it feels like an extension of you when you drive it. The little 2.0 has the feel of a much more powerful car if you drive a manual and you're deliberate about your shifting. It can fool you also, if you corner too hard, it does have enough power to break the back end loose and it will.
The FRS should be respected and the driver that gives the car the time that it takes to appreciate it, gets rewarded every time he drives it. Btw, this is the only car I ever bought two identicle of. I have a black 2013 manual, I'm buying a black 2016 manual. If that doesn't say I love this car, I don't know what will. + More »

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October 25, 2015

2016 Scion FR-S 2-Door Coupe Manual (Natl)

This car just fits perfectly

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Certainly a driver's car. Certainly not a practical car, as it has little space for passengers and cargo. A near perfect driver's position, with tilt-telescoping wheel, E brake right next to the thigh, small...
Certainly a driver's car. Certainly not a practical car, as it has little space for passengers and cargo.
A near perfect driver's position, with tilt-telescoping wheel, E brake right next to the thigh, small steering wheel, extremely comfortable seat, great pedals for heel and toeing, easily readable digital speedometer. Intuitive manual HVAC controls, with quick acting rear window defogger. This ride also has a Torsen limited slip differential, and certainly stability controls for safety, yet the ability to turn them off when that's wanted.
Bar all else, this car is fun to drive, best bang for the buck in a driver's car.
Does best on winding back roads, does well as a freeway cruiser also.
Best fun to drive car, non-convertible for it's price.
Totally reliable car for me, at one year old, 22,600 miles with zero problems so far. No reason to take it back under warranty so far.
The only negatives of this car are blind spots, and the fact that there is just 4.9 inches of ground clearance. Watch out for those parking stops (concrete barriers). Additionally it's very difficult to tell just exactly where the front of the car is from the driver's seat. Yet these things are quite common for a sports type car.
Other FRS/BRZ drivers have stated this car has a slightly harsh ride when driven over potholed city streets. Some of those same people have stated that this car is great in snow and ice when it has four snow/ice tires installed.

Wanting a Lotus Elise or Porsche Cayman but can't afford one, the FRS is closest to those cars for a fraction of the money.
Looking for a ride which keeps you smiling always whilst driving, often laughing, this is it.+ More »

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July 8, 2015

2016 Scion FR-S 2-Door Coupe Manual (GS)

Something to think really hard about

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The 2016 Scion FR-S has not changed much from the original model. Aesthetics wise,yes,it looks more wallpaper material. And a surprising resemblance to the Hyundai Genesis Coupé. My problem has always been...
The 2016 Scion FR-S has not changed much from the original model. Aesthetics wise,yes,it looks more wallpaper material. And a surprising resemblance to the Hyundai Genesis Coupé.
My problem has always been having to wring the life out of it to get the power out but Toyota have compromised this with a nice manual and clutch,so not much power is squandered away. The drive is good enough but don't expect to smoke anyone off the line; this car is for donuts,drifts and redline speed.
But you'll be hitting the service bay soon,price to pay for blowing the nuts off constantly at high RPMs
Highly recommended, but PLEASE, don't buy it for the accleration. Buy it because it's fun, because it's insane and because it's that compact Carrera/Cayman brought to you in a happy little affordable package. + More »